How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and

evaluation stages?

SOFTWARE

Some clips had good and bad sections. For example, with the green screen the frame cannot have anything other than green in the background. For some of the clips green would be in the frame and then it would move to what is behind. I could select a range of the clip that was good, and discard the bits that were no good. I would use the ‘RANGE SELECTION’ tool or use the keys ‘I’ for in and ‘O’ for out. It would then put a yellow box around the good footage which I could then drag straight into the timeline.

FINAL CUT PRO XFinal Cut Pro X is the editing software I used to construct my music video. The software is an Apple product and the version of the software is v.10.0.9. Initially I imported the footage I gathered in my video shoots and saved them as categories in the ‘EVENT LIBRARY’. The image below shows one of the categories, the Green screen Bass. From doing this I was able to select the relevant clips easier without having to search through all of my footage.

Once clips were in place I or edited I would have to wait for the scenes to render which I would be able to track from the percentage circle below the viewing screen.

With green screen shots I would have to go through a process to edit them. I would select the clip I wanted to edit and then all of the relevant tools would be located in the top right corner of the screen. Firstly, I drag previously loaded footage into the area beneath. Once this is done I am able to edit that piece of footage. To start I drag a keyer effect onto the footage and the settings in the top right hand of the screen change. I then select sample colour and ‘original’ to highlight the green areas. I hold down the shift key to highlight more than one area. Now that this has been done all areas of the green screen are selected and ready to be transformed. I then click ‘invert’ which will allow other effects to come through the original footage. Following this, I proceed into colour corrections and exposure and experiment with light settings until the whole of the background is a solid white. I then go back to the settings and lower the mix so that more detail of the bass player can be seen. However, not so much that he is solid, but slightly transparent to give a unique effect. Next, I move into ‘matte tools’ and soften and erode the edges of the bass player to make it seem as if he is in an infinite white room. Once this is done I experiment with different levels to create a certain effect. after this I select generators and add the ‘water effect’ as a new layer underneath the performance footage. As I have selected invert the water effect comes through the bass player. Furthermore, because I edited the mix the bass player’s features can still be seen. I then change the colour of the water effect and add in a cross dissolve effect as they change for a smoother and less immediate effect. Finally, I render the sequence and begin a new one.(The screen recording of me doing this is attached below)

The effects I used are all found in the bottom left corner.

I used an Apple programme called ‘Skitch’ to edit these screen shots. The top image shows the process I went through to select the clips I wanted to use. It also shows how I could favourite and discard clips that were no good. This made the organisation editing my video much easier because my clips were organised.

This screen shot shows the process I went through to edit some clips into over lay shots.

This was the select tool to use when moving or selecting any clip.

Here is the position tool which I rarely used.

This is the blade tool which was very useful when cutting and trimming clips. I used the shortcut a lot.

The hand tool is very useful in moving clips.

The trim tool allowed me to edit the length of clips accurately. For example, getting the performance in time with the track.

The range selection shortcut was used regularly used when selecting what part of a clip was good and bad.

The zoom tool allowed me to move close in on clips and timings to get them as accurate as possible.

MAC OSX V 10.6.8

I used the Apple Mac software – version OSX 10.6.8 – as an operating system. I used it to store my files, including research, pictures, my video etc. I also used it for searching the web as art of my research and blogging.

SAFARI v 5.1.9I used the Apple Mac Safari browser to connect to the internet. This was my main search engine throughout my coursework. It allowed me to search the web for information and images, to connect to Youtube to watch, embed and upload videos, to connect to Slideshare to embed presentation and access my blog to plan, research, produce and evaluate my product. This piece of software has been one of the most useful throughout my whole coursework.

FACEBOOK IPHONE 4S MESSAGE i0S8.1

I used Facebook in the feedback section of my evaluation. I posed the video and asked for feedback from friends and random people. I was a good way of receiving genuine feedback.

As part of my feedback evaluation question I sent out y video link to a few contacts and asked for feedback. I received this feedback which I then used as evidence on my blog.

PHOTOSHOP CSS v 12.0

I used Photoshop on the Apple Mac – version CSS 12.0. I used it to create my digi pack, the cover and back of a CD case and the centre. I used a range of skills I have learnt before and developed new ones. I would use the magnetic lasso tool to trace around images for the cover and back. This removed the background authentically and allowed me to overlap a range of layer.

I was able to hide, move, rearrange and edit individual layers here. If I wanted to move one layer I could select it or I could group layers. I used grouped the bands images after I used the magnetic lasso tool on each of them. Once I had positioned them where I wanted them it made moving them around in the same order easier.

I would use ‘NEW/NEW LAYER/LAYER VIA COPY’ to copy an existing layer. I used this for text, screen shot images and other features. I imported an image of the performer and then used the magnetic lasso tool to remove the background. I then imported a screen shot of the underlay colours used in my music video for synergy. I arranged the performer image layer to be on top of the colours image. I then made sure I had selected the colour image and used the magnetic lasso tool to trace around the outside of the performer. From this I was left with a silhouette of the performer, then used for each member of the band on my cover.

I also used other layer options such as ‘LAYER STYLE’ if I wanted to add a stroke to the text. This would make the main text of the bands name stand out over the album name, or vice versa. From these options I could group layers, arrange the layers and hide the layers.

In the ‘EDIT’ options I could transform or free transform layers which made changing the size, rotation and orientation of images and text a lot easier to manipulate.

QUICKTIME PLAYER v 10.0

I used Quick time player in the development of my music video and in the evaluation stages. For the development I used it to screen record what I did to edit green screen clips in Final Cut Pro X and then uploaded it to Youtube and embedded it into a post on my blog. I also used it when evaluating shot types, editing and camera movement in my video to give a more visual analysis of what I did and how I did it.

Firstly, I would select ‘FILE’ and then click ‘NEW SCREEN RECORDING’.

Following this a tab would pop up asking if I was sure I wanted to record. If yes I would click ‘START RECORDING’ if not then I would click ‘CANCEL’. It also provided information of how to stop the recording when appropriate.

The image on top is a screen shot of the screen recording. It followed every move I made. This was very useful when wanting to show and describe how I edited my footage. Once I was finished I clicked ‘STOP RECORDING’ positioned at the top of the screen and was able to edit, including ‘TRIM’ the clip.

POWERPOINT v 14.1

PowerPoint Presentation was extremely useful throughout the whole course of constructing, developing and researching my product. I used it when researching and analyzing existing music videos and CD packages, when presenting all of my initial ideas and concepts and even for this evaluation section.

Using PowerPoint made the presentation of my work neater, easier to read and interesting to look at. It allowed an easy flow and continuity and when referring back, made it easier to see my ideas and concepts.

Once the presentation was complete I would save it and open visit a website called ‘Slideshare’. This website enabled me to upload my presentations to the internet and embed it into my blog.

The image to the right shows an analysis of a music video on my blog, with the embedded presentation as a new post.

This is the embedded code copied from Slideshare into the post.

SLIDESHARE

SlideShare is an internet site that allows you to upload presentations to the internet. From doing this I was able to embed the code of a presentation I had created into my blog. I used It regularly as PowerPoint presentations are clear and easy to read. This made it easy to follow my initial plans when creating my music video.

I would click the ‘UPLOAD’ icon in the top right hand of the screen to begin the process of uploading my presentation. The following window then appears.

I click ‘UPLOAD’ again and I am redirected to my files. I select the relevant presentation/(s) and they begin to upload.

From this window I can track the uploading percentage and add a name and description and change other settings including privacy.

Once the presentation has uploaded I can view it. I can select ‘MY UPLOADS’ and all of my presentations are together in one window.

I can choose the relevant presentation I want to view and it directs you to a new page. On this page I can click through the Slide Show and all information is there, exactly the same as in PowerPoint.

When putting this into my blog I can click the ‘EMBED’ icon which will give me a code. I can copy this code and paste it into a new post on my blog. Once this post is published the presentation will be on the blog, in a format that will allow me to easily glide through the presentation and slides inside.

This image is a screen shot from my blog of an analysis presentation. I was able to flick through the slides easily to inspire myself when creating my own music video.

Featured on my blog was a widget that I could edit myself. I chose to feature the widgets that would be most useful to me when creating my music video. For example, a link to the St Peter’s A2 coursework page and St Peter’s media page. This way I could have easy access to the tasks and criteria available to me.

Furthermore, I could categorize posts to make relevant and similar posts easy to group. For example, ‘RESEARCH’ and ‘CD PACKAGE’. From this if I wanted to view my research for a CD package when creating my own, I would be able to get to it easier than having to search through all of my work.

I could design my blog the way I wanted to make it easy to view, follow and intrigue people reading it. Once my video was complete I used a screen shot image in the top bar to have a sense of synergy connecting my video, CD package and blog together.

The pages bar is located at the top of the screen.This meant that I could easily flick between pages that I wanted to visit when necessary.

WORDPRESS

WordPress was one of the most vital and important pieces of software that I used throughout the whole of the planning, research, development and construction of my music video. I used it to evidence images, research, analysis and a vast range of other aspects that allowed me to create my final product.

I was able to create posts by selecting ‘BLOG POSTS’ in the drop down options bar and edit existing ones. From the drop down I could also view other sites I have, comments on my blog, edit pages,

edit the theme and layout of my blog and visit other useful settings.

When visiting posts I could choose to ‘EDIT’ or ‘CREATE NEW’. I would be able to add text, embed links (including videos and presentations) and also add images.

When inserting other media, including images, I had the choice of browsing my existing media library or uploading new media. I could insert pre uploaded and potentially used images or upload new images.

I could choose to insert one image at a time or multiple. Once images were selected I would click ‘INSERT TO POST’.

YOUTUBEYouTube was a key piece of software that I used consistently throughout the development of my music video. I would use it for research of existing media videos for inspiration. I could then copy the link and embed the video into a post on my blog. Furthermore, I used it to upload and embed my own videos including screen recordings and my actual video.

The image above is a screen shot of an existing media product by ‘Mallory Knox’. This video was embedded into my blog and screen shots of the video at various points were used as evidence in evaluation and planning.

To upload a video of my own I would click the ‘UPLOAD’ icon located in the top right hand corner of the YouTube page. The following picture shows a screen shot of the window that opens after this has been selected.

This image shows the screen that is available after clicking ‘UPLOAD’. When this screen shows I would click ‘SELECT FILES TO UPLOAD’ and my personal files would appear. I would then select the video/videos I wanted to upload and they would begin uploading. At this point I could choose whether or not I wanted the videos to be private or not.

As the video uploads I can track the percentage of the upload and edit the name of the video. I can also add a description and change other settings. Once the videos have uploaded they appear together in ‘MY CHANNEL’.

This image is of ‘MY CHANNEL’. I can view all of my uploaded videos together and potentially edit them. This may be the name, description, possible music over the top and a range of various useful aspects.

Here is a screen shot of my own videos embedded into a post on my blog. It is easy and extremely effecting and was very useful when researching, analyzing and developing my final video.

HARDWARE

VIDEO CAMERAThe video camera I used when filming my music video was the ‘Cannon Legria HFR506 – High definition.’

The camera was used throughout all stages of my video, both performance and narrative. I predominantly used one camera, however at times in my performance I used two. One for movement and the other for a close up on the performer which held a still shot.

It is a lightweight camera and the options available meant I could see what I was recording and could change settings including the resolution or various lighting options to optimize my video’s authenticity.

The handheld strap made it easy to get movement shots during performance and narrative and the transportation of the camera was made easy due to its good weight to strength ratio.

The camera was also able to connect to a tripod, as shown in the image, which made still, unshaken shots easy. Pans and tilts were also made easier.

All footage was saved to an SD card which, with the assistance of a card reader, made the footage easy to upload to the Apple Mac.

APPLE MAC – 2GHZ DUAL CORE INTER PROCESSOR

The computer system I used was the APPLE MAC – 2GHZ DUAL CORE INTER PROCESSOR. I used it to research, blog, plan, gain inspiration, create and display my music video.

On the system the internet was available which I used to upload and which videos, to blog and to research. General packages such as Word and PowerPoint were available to use.

Furthermore, I was able to use programmes such as Photoshop and Final Cut Pro X which I used to create my video. The computer itself allowed me to save the video too.

The keyboard and mouse were also part of this piece of hardware enabling me to move around the computer system and type. Shortcuts ion the keyboard were also useful in Final Cut Pro X when creating my video.

SD CARDS, MEMORY STICKS ANDCARD READERS

I used an SD card in the camera and transferred the footage from the card to my computer in order to edit it. The card made transferring the footage very simple.

To get the footage from the card to the Apple Mac I used a card reader. The reader works by having a slot that the card is inserted into. One end of the card reader is a USB input. I could then put this straight into the computer and import the footage into a folder on the desktop of the Mac.

I regularly used a memory stick to transfer images in the planning stage, footage from one computer to another and even analysis presentations or documents. It was extremely useful in being able to access my work on any computer, without necessarily having to upload it all to the internet.

This is the USB end of the card reader that allows it to fit into a computer.

Here is the slot where the SD card goes.

Here are the USB slots available on the Apple Mac system. There are also two slots on each side of the Mac keyboard.

GREENSCREENThe green screen was the main concept of my music video. Before planning had begun I had this idea to use the green screen so that the performance section of the video appeared on an infinite background.

I researched appropriate set ups online for green screen because I had never used it before. From my research I found that the camera frame could not go off the green screen or the editing would not work. I also discovered that no shadows could be present therefore I would need as much light as possible. A back light, side lights and front lights.

Overall I used two green screen set ups. One for the drums and bass and on a separate occasion for guitar and lead singer. The green screen was very effective and I would do it again.

I needed one long green sheet, a frame made up of steel poles and the lights.

LIGHTINGI used this lighting for the performance section of my music video. The green screen research I did suggested that I need as much lighting as possible. I used ‘VARIBEAM 800’ lights with a maximum 800W and a 220/240 voltage. I also used ‘LILIPUT’ lighting with a maximum 650w and 240 voltage.

These lights were extremely powerful and got very hot. They were also very effective when gaining the performance footage as I had no trouble editing the footage in Final Cut Pro X.

This was my green screen set up.

IPHONE 4S & Technika Barcelona Bluetooth Speaker

I used my iPhone 4s to play the track of my music video as the performers played along to it. It made it very easy to get authentic footage by playing along to the track. From doing this all of the instruments and singing was in time. I also used my phone to update my blog on the ‘WordPress’ app and also to get some feedback of my video.

I used Technika Barcelona Bluetooth speaker to play the track from my phone. I was able to keep my phone in my pocket so I could stop and play the track when convenient for multiple run trough's to get as much footage as I could.

EPSON V300 SCANNERI used the Epson V300 Scanner to scan in storyboards, shot concepts and other plans.

By scanning in the written work I had produced made it a lot easier to get the images onto my blog. The image below is on that I scanned.

I could see my shot concepts and narrative plan next to other research making the video shoots and planning of my video much easier.

TRIPODI used the tripod to optimize stability, increase shot movement and gather the best and most authentic footage I could.

I used the tripod completely extended for long shots or still run trough's of performance.

Moreover, I was able to extend the tripod to its maximum length and hold it as high as I could to gather a Crain shot effect. The camera was very high in one of the performance sections getting new and interesting footage as well as giving the footage a floating effect.

The result of this technique created a very unique shot which I used in my final music video.

The tripod could also be condensed down and held on the body. This created a hand held effect on the footage but also kept the stability of the camera.

Furthermore, the tripod is equipped with a lever, that when twisted, moves the camera up or down. This created a nice smooth tilt shot but also increased the height of the tripod in general.

Additionally, the tripod had a lever that when twisted left and right allowed for a smooth and consistent pan effect. I used this lever regularly when shooting the footage I would later use in my video for both performance and narrative.

The tripod also had a spirit level bubble that allowed me to adjust the legs to ensure the camera was level, even if the ground was uneven.

THE GLIDE CAM AND THE DOLLY TRIPOD

I attached the camera to this glide cam piece of equipment. It allowed me to get free flowing footage and interesting shots in my video. The advantages of this are that it is light weight, however a problem was that some off the footage was unstable and did not tie in with the narrative or performance sections of my music video.

I used the dolly tripod fixture to get tracking and dolly shots. They increased the amount of camera movement in my video and created very interesting and authentic shots. At times this was difficult to use because of the surface. If it was uneven or bumpy then the camera would shake too much. When this happened I used the tripod instead.

NIKON DIGITAL CAMERA D50 – 7.4/9V 2.5A

I used Nikon digital camera D50 to take pictures in my performance video shoot. The digital camera made it easy to see photos as I took them, use a good zoom and flash and also enabled me to transfer the pictures onto my computer easily.

I also used the camera during the narrative video shoot to take pictures of the locations I visited and also interesting shot concepts as I shot them with the video camera.